The little things that bless us =)

I love how God is in the details. His word says he will give us more than we could ever think or ask. (Eph 3:20)

I just ordered some christian books online, and was very excited at the new Bible I ordered because it will be the very first Bible that I have ever had that will be brand new, not a hand-me-down. Don't get me wrong... I was and still am very thankful for those Bibles. They have been great study aids through the years. They were already high-lighted at some key passages, sharing the giver's insight into the things of God. I find myself learning more and more, and was so excited over this new study Bible for 2 reasons. (1) It is a really good study Bible. (2) I get to mark & high-light MY revelations from God as I study his word. It feels so fresh, like I am seeing some things for the first time, on my own by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, not just because it was already marked. Ok, back to my ordering them online....

I was looking for a really good study Bible, preferably not King James because while I LOVE the KJ version, sometimes it is a little difficult to understand. I wanted a New King James version, with really in depth explanations and breaking down of the original Greek or Hebrew languages. All I could find was one that was NIV. After looking around, I decided to get the NIV version because of the study guide part of it. Well... when I finally received my order in the mail, guess what? They no longer had the NIV version, and sent me one in place of it with the option to return it. It was a NKJ version, which I wanted all along. AND it had a really pretty colored leather cover. I know that may seem so small and insignificant... but that is my whole point. God knew I really wanted a certain type, so that was the type I got. That is only one of the many blessings I have received lately.

Probably the hugest thing that has happened to me in the last month... is when I received a confirmation IN the MAIL that a HUGE financial problem my husband and I were believing for was taken care of.... I do not know how or who... All I know is that we tithe (sometimes to the point it hurts) and we believe and God has made a way were there seemed to be NO way. One day soon I fully intend to share the details regarding this miracle.. and trust me, it is a miracle =)

You cannot out give God. If you have a need, please let me encourage you to give. I know in the natural that seems backwards. That if you give, all you do is cut yourself short. I am here as a witness, with a testimony of how God has supernaturally moved not just once, not just twice, but many times in my life. Remember, it is He that gives & gives exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.

I Would Die for You

I absolutely LOVE the MercyMe song "I Would Die For You" from their Coming Up To Breathe cd. Google or YouTube it, it is so worth hearing. You can also hear it on my mixpod on my profile page. Here are the lyrics:

And I know that I can find You here
'Cause You promised me You'll always be there
Times like these, it's hard to see
But somehow I have a peace, You're near
And I pray that You will use my life
In whatever way Your name is glorified
Even if surrendering
Means leaving everything behind

My life has never been this clear
Now I know the reason why I'm here
You never know why You're alive
Until you know what you would die for
I would die for You

And I know I don't have much to give
But I promise You I will give You all there is
Can I possibly do less
When through Your own death I live?

No greater love is found
Than of those who lay their own lives down
As sure as I live and breathe
Now I know what it means to be free

I know how hard it is to die to self; how hard it is to trust anyone enough to fully surrender over every part of your being, yet this is what God requires of us. This is what he longs for and desires. I encourage each of you to try your faith, and proclaim as Job (13:15), "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him...". God gave his all, gave his son to die, that we might live for him. Not with our words, but by completely and utterly giving ourselves over to him. Throw yourself onto him, and trust he will catch you. Think of a time when you have been away for a few days, and when you returned, your child ran at you and flung themselves into your arms, fully trusting you would catch them. We are God's children, and he will catch us.

Giving ourselves fully over to him means dying to self. Galatians 2:20 says, "I have died, but Christ lives in me. And I now live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me."(CEV). Galatians 5:24 states, "And because we belong to Christ Jesus, we have killed our selfish feelings and desires."(CEV).

Another way to look at it is by reading John 15:13-15, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do whatsoever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what the master does. But I have called you friends, for all things I have heard from My Father I have made known to you." Most people read this with just the understanding of loving one another being very important, or deeper, that as Jesus called us friend, that he was letting them know he was about to lay down his life for them. Now flip that. Jesus called us friend. I am a friend of God. No greater love can I show than to lay down my life for my friend Jesus. I will lay down my life for God.

True freedom is what we get when we choose to give it all away. A close and personal, intimate friendship with God can only be achieved by giving it all away. Give it all to God. Give Him your life, give him your dreams, give him your hopes. Give away the pain, give away the doubt, give away guilt, frustration, strife, envy, pride, self-loathing, shame, and greed. Give Him your time, your love, your friendship. Test him. While I know it was referring to tithes, I feel it also pertains to His Word, Malachi 3:10 tells you to test Him. Read the whole chapter, He is talking about the differences between believers and non-believers. Believers tithe and are blessed, TEST ME For I am God, and I change not.

I challenge you, as God the Father did in Malachi, Test Him... I dare you =)

First ever blog =)

Hi All!!!

Welcome to my blog "As I Strive to be...". Everyday I want to focus on striving to be closer to God. I want to be the woman, the wife, the mother, sister, daughter, and friend, he has called me to be. I want to immerse myself in the will of God, in the Word of God, and in the presence of God.

I will be sharing some of my favorite christian links, books, music, sermons I have heard, scriptures I have read, and lessons I have learned. I hope to inspire and encourage all my readers (assuming I have readers) to desire a closer walk with God. Please feel free to share with me any comments, ask any questions, and call me out on anything needed. Enjoy!